In a remarkable achievement, the UK government has exceeded its ambitious target of closing 2,000 county lines – criminal networks associated with drug trafficking – by 2025 in just a year and a half. The news comes as the result of dedicated efforts by police taskforces working within the County Lines Programme to dismantle these illicit operations and arrest those responsible.
Data released this month reveals that the government’s three-year goal, outlined in the 10-year drug strategy, has been accomplished in just 18 months. Between April 2022 and September 2023, over 4,000 arrests were made, and 4,800 vulnerable individuals, ensnared by these criminal networks, were offered support to rebuild their lives.
The latest statistics, covering the period from April to September 2023, indicate that over 700 county lines were dismantled, 1,300 arrests were executed, and 1,600 victims were provided with support to escape the clutches of these operations.
These impressive results underscore the unwavering commitment of the police in their relentless pursuit of county lines networks, shutting them down as they emerge and ensuring that these criminal enterprises do not resurface.
In addition to these efforts, the government is taking measures to keep the dangerous individuals behind these gangs off the streets and prevent the reopening of drug networks.
Home Secretary James Cleverly commented on the achievement, stating, “County lines gangs are some of the most vile, exploitative criminals in this country, lining their pockets at the expense of countless vulnerable lives. We set a target of taking down 2,000 lines in three years, which we have delivered in half the time. We will go even further to shut down these criminal enterprises and help victims to turn their lives around.”
The County Lines Programme, initiated by the Home Office in 2019, aims to combat the destructive drug supply model that preys on individuals through exploitation, coercion, and violence. These criminal gangs often target the most vulnerable members of society, manipulating them into debt and compelling them to transport and sell drugs.
Crucial to the County Lines Programme is victim support, ensuring that young people and their families have the assistance they need as they break free from these gangs. The Home Office has invested up to £5 million in support services, including organizations like Catch22 and Missing People, which play a pivotal role in helping vulnerable individuals and families.
Catch22, for instance, provides specialized support and rescue services for young people and their families who have been criminally exploited through county lines. One such success story is Liam, a pseudonym used to protect the victim’s identity.
Liam was referred to Catch22 by social services after a raid at his home uncovered drugs and cash. Concerned that he might follow in his family’s footsteps, care workers referred him to Catch22 for support. Despite initial resistance, Liam built a rapport with Catch22, which helped him recognize the dangers of involvement in county lines and drug use. His attendance and performance at college improved, and he is now pursuing further education in construction, knowing that support is available if needed.
Liam’s story represents one of many young lives that have been transformed with support, demonstrating that vulnerable individuals, often hard to reach, can make different choices and leave a life of criminality behind.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating criminal activities like county lines by increasing police funding. The 2024-25 provisional police funding settlement allocates up to £922 million in additional funding to police forces in England and Wales, with an additional £200 million for priority projects, including ongoing efforts to tackle county lines. The government has also fulfilled its manifesto promise to recruit 20,000 additional officers by March 2023, bringing the total number of police officers in England and Wales to nearly 150,000, bolstering the fight against these criminal gangs.
